Canada, South Africa venture into new territory with knockout round

CALFORNIA, USA: Canada will take their show on the road when they face South Africa ‌in the round of 32 at Inglewood, California, on Sunday for the squad’s first ever trip into the knockout round of a World Cup.
Neither team were expected to be in the Los Angeles area for the round of 32, with South Africa also in the knockout round for the first time.
Canada’s 2-1 loss to Switzerland on Wednesday dropped them to second place in Group B and cost them the opportunity to play at Vancouver on Sunday. In contrast to the other co-hosts, Mexico and the United States, won their groups to remain on home soil.
“We would have loved to stay in Vancouver, there’s no doubt about that,” Canada defender Alistair Johnston said.

“At the same time, if you told me a month ago that we’re going to have qualified second place in your group, guaranteed into the knockouts, and not sitting here in third place, having to wait on results — or in fourth place, obviously knowing that ‌you’re done --I think I ‌would have shaken your hand for that.”
South Africa pulled off a stunning ‌1-0 ⁠victory over favored ⁠South Korea on Wednesday to place second in Group A after they were a longshot to advance following a 2-0 loss to Mexico and a 1-1 tie with the Czech Republic.
In the most recent FIFA men’s world ranking, the loss dropped South Korea six spots to No. 31 while South Africa moved up six spots to No.

54.
“We were not good against Mexico and a little better against the Czechs. That meant we had to defeat Korea.

There was enormous pressure on us, but we made it,” South Africa coach Hugo Broos said.
“We are ready for the Canadians. ⁠My team will fight for 90 minutes, and longer if necessary.